Method for the quantitative evaluation of sex hormones in a serum sample

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses using SPR technology to simultaneously and quantitatively measure the concentrations of different sex hormones in a serum sample, which can be used to evaluate different clinical situations. It also discloses an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM that can greatly enhance the immobilization ability of the metal surface in SPR based techniques, which is good for the immobilization of relevant antibodies used for the detection of representative sex hormones in a serum sample.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/827,189 filed on 27 Sep. 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of using SPR technology in detecting the levels of representative sex hormones in a serum sample.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a label-free and high-throughput technique to detect the levels of sex hormones in a serum sample. The METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF SEX HORMONS IN A SERUM SAMPLE provides a method of using SPR technology to simultaneously and quantitatively detect representative sex hormones in a serum sample. The METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF SEX HORMONS IN A SERUM SAMPLE relates to a novel method of using SPR technology to simultaneously and quantitatively measure the concentrations of representative sex hormones, which can be used to evaluate different clinical situations The METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF SEX HORMONS IN A SERUM SAMPLE provides an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM in and a method of using thereof for the immobilization of relevant antibodies in an SPR system for the quantitative evaluation of representative sex hormones in a serum sample.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology has been employed for quantitative and qualitative analysis in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, physics and engineering. SPR technology has become a leading technology in the field of direct real-time observation of biomolecular interactions.

SPR technology is highly sensitive to changes that occur at the interface between a metal and a dielectric medium (e.g., water, air, etc). In general, a high-throughput SPR instrument consists of an auto-sampling robot, a high resolution CCD (charge-coupled device) camera, and gold or silver -coated glass slide chips each with more than 4 array cells embedded in a plastic support platform.

SPR technology exploits surface plasmons (special electromagnetic waves) that can be excited at certain metal interfaces, most notably silver and gold. When incident light is coupled with the metal interface at angles greater than the critical angle, the reflected light exhibits a sharp attenuation (SPR minimum) in reflectivity owing to the resonant transfer of energy from the incident light to a surface plasmon. The incident angle (or wavelength) at which the resonance occurs is highly dependent upon the refractive index in the immediate vicinity of the metal surface. Binding of biomolecules at the surface changes the local refractive index and results in a shift of the SPR minimum. By monitoring changes in the SPR signal, it is possible to measure binding activities at the surface in real time. Traditional SPR spectroscopy sensors, which measure the entire SPR curve as a function of angle or wavelength, have been widely used, but offer limited throughput. The high-throughput capability of a high-throughput SPR instrument is largely due to its imaging system. The development of SPR imaging allows for the simultaneous measurement of thousands of biomolecule interactions.

Typically, a SPR imaging apparatus consists of a coherent p-polarized light source expanded with a beam expander and consequently reflected from a SPR active medium to a detector. A CCD camera collects the reflected light intensity in an image. SPR imaging measurements are performed at a fixed angle of incidence that falls within a linear region of the SPR dip; changes in light intensity are proportional to the changes in the refractive index caused by binding of biomolecules to the surface. As a result, gray-level intensity correlates with the amount of material bound to the sensing region. In addition, one of the factors determining the sensitivity of a SPR imaging system is the intensity of the light source. The signal strength from the metal surface is linearly proportional to the incoming light strength, so a laser light source is preferred over light-emitting diode and halogen lamps.

The SPR instrument is an optical biosensor that measures binding events of biomolecules at a metal surface by detecting changes in the local refractive index. The depth probed at the metal-aqueous interface is typically 200 nm, making SPR a surface-sensitive technique ideal for studying interactions between immobilized biomolecules and a solution-phase analyte. SPR technology offers several advantages over conventional techniques, such as fluorescence or ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) based approaches. First, because SPR measurements are based on refractive index changes, detection of an analyte is label free and direct. The analyte does not require any special characteristics or labels (radioactive or fluorescent) and can be detected directly, without the need for multistep detection protocols. Secondly, the measurements can be performed in real time, allowing the user to collect kinetic data, as well as thermodynamic data. Lastly, SPR is a versatile technique, capable of detecting analytes over a wide range of molecular weights and binding affinities. Therefore, SPR technology is a powerful tool for studying biomolecule interactions. So far, in a research setting, SPR based techniques have been used to investigate protein-peptide interactions, cellular ligation, protein-DNA interactions, and DNA hybridization. However, SPR based approaches have not yet been explored in clinical medicine, especially in clinical laboratory medicine.

Testosterone affects sexual features and development. In men, it is produced in large amounts by the testicles. In both men and women, testosterone is also produced in small amounts by the adrenal glands; and, in women, by the ovaries. The release of testosterone is controlled by a hormone called luteinizing hormone, or LH, which is produced by the pituitary gland. When the testosterone level is low, the pituitary gland releases LH, which increases the amount of testosterone produced by the testicles. Before puberty, the testosterone level in boys is low. An increase in testosterone during puberty causes sex organs to mature, sperm to be produced, sexual features to develop (including facial and body hair), enlarged muscles, and a deep voice. The level of testosterone continues to rise during adulthood until it peaks around age 40, then gradually decreases.

Most of the testosterone in the blood is attached to a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). A small amount is attached to albumin. The unattached, or “free,” testosterone may be measured when conditions that can increase SHBG (such as obesity or hyperthyroidism) are present. Free testosterone can also be calculated from SHBG and albumin levels. Usually this is done only at large medical centers.

Significance of detect testosterone includes: 1) can determine whether a problem with the testicles or pituitary gland is preventing a man from being able to father a child (infertility); 2) a low amount of testosterone can lead to low sperm counts; 3) can evaluate a man's sexual problems; 4) a low level of testosterone may reduce a man's sex drive or cause impotence (erectile dysfunction); 5) can determine whether increased testosterone production is causing a boy younger than age 10 to have early (precocious) puberty; 6) can evaluate why a woman is developing male features, such as excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism) and a deep voice; 7) can evaluate irregular menstrual periods in women; 8) can determine the response to testosterone-lowering medications in men with advanced prostate cancer; and 9) can evaluate the cause of osteoporosis in a man.

Progesterone is a female hormone produced by the ovaries during release of a mature egg from an ovary (ovulation). Progesterone helps prepare the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to receive the egg if it becomes fertilized by a sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop and menstrual bleeding begins. During pregnancy, the placenta also produces high levels of progesterone, starting near the end of the first trimester and continuing until the baby is born. Levels of progesterone in a pregnant woman are about 10 times higher than they are in a woman who is not pregnant. Some types of cancer causes abnormal progesterone levels in men and women.

Significance in detecting progesterone includes: 1) can help to find the cause of infertility; 2) can monitor the success of medications for infertility or the effect of treatment with progesterone; 3) can help to determine whether ovulation is occurring; 4) can assess the risk of miscarriage; 4) can monitor the function of the ovaries and placenta during pregnancy; and 5) can help diagnose problems with the adrenal glands and some types of cancer.

Estrogens are responsible for female sexual development and function, such as breast development and the menstrual cycle. In women, estrogens are produced mainly in the ovaries and in the placenta during pregnancy. Small amounts are also produced by the adrenal glands. In men, small amounts of estrogens are produced by the adrenal glands and testicles. Small amounts of estrone are made throughout the body in most tissues, especially fat and muscle. This is the major source of estrogen in women who have gone through menopause.

Significance in detecting estrogen includes: 1)helping to detect fetal birth defects (especially Down syndrome) during pregnancy, i.e., the test for estrogens combined with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), called a triple test; 2) can evaluate estrogen-producing tumors of the ovaries in girls before menstruation starts and in women after menopause; 3) can help to explain abnormal sexual characteristics in men, such as enlarged breasts (gynecomastia); 4) can also help detect the presence of estrogen-producing tumors growing in the testicles; 5) can monitor therapy with fertility medications, such as Gonal-F, Follistim, or Repronex.

SHBG, also known as testosterone-estrogen binding globulin (TeBG), sex steroid binding globulin(SSBG), or sex steroid binding protein (SBP), specifically binds 17b-hydroxysteroids in a 1:1 ratio. The glycosylated heterodimer (80 to 100 kDa) binds 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) most tightly, followed by testosterone and estradiol.

SHBG is synthesized by liver cells and has a 7-day half-life in circulation. In both sexes the SHBG concentration sharply increases just after birth and gradually declines until puberty. Male and female children have similar SHBG concentrations (ranging from 80 to 175 nmol/L) until the onset of puberty, when SHBG levels decrease more rapidly in males than in females. In pregnant women, the SHBG level increases from conception until about week 30, eaching concentrations 6 to 10 times higher than in nonpregnant females. The circulating androgen concentration affects SHBG synthesis. Elevated testosterone causes SHBG synthesis to decrease, while high estrogen stimulates SHBG production. The regulation of SHBG synthesis, combined with SHBG's high affinity for testosterone compared to estrogen, results in SHBG effectively amplifying the estrogen level.

Levels of testosterone and estradiol in circulation influence SHBG production, and SHBG measurements not only indicate the amount of unbound steroid available to tissues, but also the post-receptor cellular response to androgen and estrogen levels. Because SHBG responds to circulating estrogen and testosterone levels, SHBG measurements can indicate a range of androgen abnormalities. SHBG levels respond to extreme changes in body weight, decreasing in obese patients and increasing in females with anorexia nervosa. Females with hyperprolactinemia often have low SHBG levels. Human growth hormone and prolactin are evolutionarily related, and SHBG levels are similarly low in acromegaly and patients receiving growth hormone treatments. The SHBG level is likely to be abnormal in male hypogonadism, androgen insensitivity, thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, and liver disease.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland. In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. The amount of FSH varies throughout a woman's menstrual cycle and is highest just before she releases an egg (ovulates). In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm. The amount of FSH in men normally remains constant. The amounts of FSH and other hormones (luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) are measured in both a man and a woman to determine why the couple cannot become pregnant (infertility). The FSH level can help determine whether male or female sex organs (testicles or ovaries) are functioning properly.

Significance in detecting FSH includes: 1) Help find the cause of infertility. FSH testing is commonly used to evaluate a woman's egg supply (ovarian reserve) and man's low sperm count; 2) Help evaluate menstrual problems, such as irregular or absent menstrual periods (amenorrhea) which can help determine whether the woman has gone through menopause; 3) Determine whether a child is going through early puberty (also called precocious puberty), i.e., puberty is early when it starts in girls younger than age 9 and in boys younger than age 10; 4) Determine why sexual features or organs are not developing when they should (delayed puberty); 5) Help diagnose certain pituitary gland disorders, such as a tumor.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland. In women, LH helps regulate the menstrual cycle and egg production (ovulation). The level of LH in a woman's body varies with the phase of the menstrual cycle. It increases rapidly just before ovulation occurs, about midway through the cycle (day 14 of a 28-day cycle). This is called an LH surge. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels rise and fall together during the monthly menstrual cycle. In men, LH stimulates the production of testosterone, which plays a role in sperm production.

Significance in detecting LH includes: 1)Help find the cause for a couple's inability to become pregnant (infertility), i.e., LH testing is commonly used to evaluate a woman's egg supply (ovarian reserve) and a man's sperm count; 2) Help evaluate menstrual problems, such as irregular or absent menstrual periods (amenorrhea), which can help determine whether the woman has gone through menopause; 3) Determine whether a child is going through early puberty (also called precocious puberty), i.e., Puberty is early when it starts in girls younger than age 9 and in boys younger than age 10; 4)Determine why sexual features or organs are not developing when they should (delayed puberty); 5)Determine (usually with a urine sample) when a woman is ovulating. Home urine tests for ovulation are available; 6) Monitor a woman's response to medications given to stimulate ovulation.

Prolactin is produced by the pituitary gland. Pregnant women have high levels of prolactin, which prepares their breasts to produce milk. During pregnancy, prolactin levels increase by 10 to 20 times. After the baby is born, prolactin maintains the mother's milk production (lactation). In women who do not breast-feed their babies, prolactin levels return to normal soon after they give birth. Breast-feeding initially increases the level of prolactin. However, after months of breast-feeding, prolactin levels may return to normal. The pituitary glands of men and nonpregnant women also produce prolactin. Its function in these people is not clearly understood. Prolactin levels vary throughout the day. The highest levels occur during sleep and shortly after you wake up. Prolactin levels increase during times of physical or emotional stress and during sleep. Many medications can cause an increase in prolactin production. Tumors of the pituitary gland can sometimes cause excess production of prolactin. However, a pituitary gland that is damaged may not be able to produce normal amounts of prolactin.

Significance in detecting prolactin includes: 1) To find the cause of an abnormal nipple discharge, an absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), or infertility in a woman; 2) In a man when a pituitary gland problem is suspected. Also, a prolactin test may be done to evaluate a man's lack of sexual desire or his inability to have an erection (erectile dysfunction), especially if his testosterone levels are abnormally low; 3) To determine whether a tumor in the pituitary gland (called a prolactinoma) is producing large amounts of prolactin.

Traditionally, testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, SHBG, FSH, LH, and prolactin are detected by using fluorescent label based techniques that may be procedure-tedious and less accurate in quantification. In addition, fluorescent label based techniques cannot detect all the hormones simultaneously. SPR technology has the ability of providing unlabel, high- throughput, and on-line parallel analysis. The present invention demonstrates that SPR technology can be used as a powerful tool to detect the levels of these sex hormones in a serum sample.

REFERENCES

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MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Before the present method of using SPR technology to quantitatively measure the concentrations of different sex hormones in a serum sample is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference “a sex hormone” includes reference to two or more such sex hormones.

In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

“Proteins” and “peptides” are well-known terms in the art, and are not precisely defined in the art in terms of the number of amino acids that each includes. As used herein, these terms are given their ordinary meaning in the art. Generally, peptides are amino acid sequences of less than about 100 amino acids in length, but can include sequences of up to 300 amino acids. Proteins generally are considered to be molecules of at least 100 amino acids.

As used herein, a “metal binding tag” refers to a group of molecules that can become fastened to a metal that is coordinated by a chelate. Suitable groups of such molecules include amino acid sequences including, but not limited to, histidines and cysteines (“polyamino acid tags”). Metal binding tags include histidine tags, defined below.

“Signaling entity” means an entity that is capable of indicating its existence in a particular sample or at a particular location. Signaling entities of the invention can be those that are identifiable by the unaided human eye, those that may be invisible in isolation but may be detectable by the unaided human eye if in sufficient quantity (e.g., colloid particles), entities that absorb or emit electromagnetic radiation at a level or within a wavelength range such that they can be readily determined visibly (unaided or with a microscope including an electron microscope or the like), or spectroscopically, entities that can be determined electronically or electrochemically, such as redox-active molecules exhibiting a characteristic oxidation/reduction pattern upon exposure to appropriate activation energy (“electronic signaling entities”), or the like. Examples include dyes, pigments, electroactive molecules such as redox-active molecules, fluorescent moieties (including, by definition, phosphorescent moieties), up-regulating phosphors, chemiluminescent entities, electrochemiluminescent entities, or enzyme-linked signaling moieties including horse radish peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase.

“Precursors of signaling entities” are entities that by themselves may not have signaling capability but, upon chemical, electrochemical, electrical, magnetic, or physical interaction with another species, become signaling entities. An example includes a chromophore having the ability to emit radiation within a particular, detectable wavelength only upon chemical interaction with another molecule. Precursors of signaling entities are distinguishable from, but are included within the definition of, “signaling entities” as used herein.

As used herein, “fastened to or adapted to be fastened”, in the context of a species relative to another species or to a surface of an article, means that the species is chemically or biochemically linked via covalent attachment, attachment via specific biological binding (e.g., biotin/streptavidin), coordinative bonding such as chelate/metal binding, or the like. For example, “fastened” in this context includes multiple chemical linkages, multiple chemical/biological linkages, etc., including, but not limited to, a binding species such as a peptide synthesized on a polystyrene bead, a binding species specifically biologically coupled to an antibody which is bound to a protein such as protein A, which is covalently attached to a bead, a binding species that forms a part (via genetic engineering) of a molecule such as GST or Phage, which in turn is specifically biologically bound to a binding partner covalently fastened to a surface (e.g., glutathione in the case of GST), etc. As another example, a moiety covalently linked to a thiol is adapted to be fastened to a gold surface since thiols bind gold covalently. Similarly, a species carrying a metal binding tag is adapted to be fastened to a surface that carries a molecule covalently attached to the surface (such as thiol/gold binding) and which molecule also presents a chelate coordinating a metal. A species also is adapted to be fastened to a surface if that surface carries a particular nucleotide sequence, and the species includes a complementary nucleotide sequence.

“Covalently fastened” means fastened via nothing other than by one or more covalent bonds. E.g. a species that is covalently coupled, via EDC/NHS chemistry, to a carboxylate-presenting alkyl thiol which is in turn fastened to a gold surface, is covalently fastened to that surface.

“Specifically fastened (or bound)” or “adapted to be specifically fastened (or bound)” means a species is chemically or biochemically linked to another specimen or to a surface as described above with respect to the definition of “fastened to or adapted to be fastened”, but excluding all non-specific binding.

“Non-specific binding”, as used herein, is given its ordinary meaning in the field of biochemistry.

As used herein, a component that is “immobilized relative to” another component either is fastened to the other component or is indirectly fastened to the other component, e.g., by being fastened to a third component to which the other component also is fastened, or otherwise is translationally associated with the other component. For example, a signaling entity is immobilized with respect to a binding species if the signaling entity is fastened to the binding species, is fastened to a colloid particle to which the binding species is fastened, is fastened to a dendrimer or polymer to which the binding species is fastened, etc. A colloid particle is immobilized relative to another colloid particle if a species fastened to the surface of the first colloid particle attaches to an entity, and a species on the surface of the second colloid particle attaches to the same entity, where the entity can be a single entity, a complex entity of multiple species, a cell, another particle, etc.

The term “sample” refers to any medium suspected of containing an analyte, such as a binding partner, the presence or quantity of which is desirably determined. The sample can be a biological sample such as a cell, cell lysate, tissue, serum, blood or other fluid from a biological source, a biochemical sample such as products from a cDNA library, an environmental sample such as a soil extract, or any other medium, biological or non-biological, including synthetic material, that can advantageously be evaluated in accordance with the invention.

A “sample suspected of containing” a particular component means a sample with respect to which the content of the component is unknown. The sample may be unknown to contain the particular component, or may be known to contain the particular component but in an unknown quantity.

As used herein, a “metal binding tag” refers to a group of molecules that can become fastened to a metal that is coordinated by a chelate. Suitable groups of such molecules include amino acid sequences, typically from about 2 to about 10 amino acid residues. These include, but are not limited to, histidines and cysteines (“polyamino acid tags”). Such binding tags, when they include histidine, can be referred to as a “poly-histidine tract” or “histidine tag” or “HIS-tag”, and can be present at either the amino- or carboxy-terminus, or at any exposed region of a peptide or protein or nucleic acid. A poly-histidine tract of six to ten residues is preferred for use in the invention. The poly-histidine tract is also defined functionally as being the number of consecutive histidine residues added to a protein of interest which allows for the affinity purification of the resulting protein on a metal chelate column, or the identification of a protein terminus through interaction with another molecule (e.g. an antibody reactive with the HIS-tag).

A “moiety that can coordinate a metal”, as used herein, means any molecule that can occupy at least two coordination sites on a metal atom, such as a metal binding tag or a chelate.

“Affinity tag” is given its ordinary meaning in the art. Affinity tags include, for example, metal binding tags, GST (in GST/glutathione binding clip), and streptavidin (in biotin/streptavidin binding). At various locations herein specific affinity tags are described in connection with binding interactions. It is to be understood that the invention involves, in any embodiment employing an affinity tag, a series of individual embodiments each involving selection of any of the affinity tags described herein.

The term “self-assembled monolayer” (SAM) refers to a relatively ordered assembly of molecules spontaneously chemisorbed on a surface, in which the molecules are oriented approximately parallel to each other and roughly perpendicular to the surface. Each of the molecules includes a functional group that adheres to the surface, and a portion that interacts with neighboring molecules in the monolayer to form the relatively ordered array. See Laibinis. P. E.; Hickman. J.: Wrighton. M. S.: Whitesides, G. M. Science 245, 845 (1989). Bain. C.; Evall. J.: Whitesides. G. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 7155-7164 (1989), Bain, C.; Whitesides, G. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 7164-7175 (1989), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The SAM can be made up completely of SAM-forming species that form close-packed SAMs at surfaces, or these species in combination with molecular wires or other species able to promote electronic communication through the SAM (including defect-promoting species able to participate in a SAM), or other species able to participate in a SAM, and any combination of these. Preferably, all of the species that participate in the SAM include a functionality that binds, optionally covalently, to the surface, such as a thiol which will bind covalently to a gold surface. A self-assembled monolayer on a surface, in accordance with the invention, can be comprised of a mixture of species (e.g. thiol species when gold is the surface) that can present (expose) essentially any chemical or biological functionality. For example, they can include tri-ethylene glycol-terminated species (e.g. tri-ethylene glycol-terminated thiols) to resist non-specific adsorption, and other species (e.g. thiols) terminating in a binding partner of an affinity tag, e.g. terminating in a chelate that can coordinate a metal such as nitrilotriacetic acid which, when in complex with nickel atoms, captures a metal binding tagged-species such as a histidine-tagged binding species.

“Molecular wires” as used herein, means wires that enhance the ability of a fluid encountering a SAM-coated electrode to communicate electrically with the electrode. This includes conductive molecules or, as mentioned above and exemplified more fully below, molecules that can cause defects in the SAM allowing communication with the electrode. A non-limiting list of additional molecular wires includes 2-mercaptopyridine, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, dithiothreitol, 1,2-benzenedithiol, 1,2-benzenedimethanethiol, benzene-ethanethiol, and 2-mercaptoethylether. Conductivity of a monolayer can also be enhanced by the addition of molecules that promote conductivity in the plane of the electrode. Conducting SAMs can be composed of, but are not limited to: 1) poly (ethynylphenyl) chains terminated with a sulfur; 2) an alkyl thiol terminated with a benzene ring; 3) an alkyl thiol terminated with a DNA base; 4) any sulfur terminated species that packs poorly into a monolayer; 5) all of the above plus or minus alkyl thiol spacer molecules terminated with either ethylene glycol units or methyl groups to inhibit non specific adsorption. Thiols are described because of their affinity for gold in ready formation of a SAM. Other molecules can be substituted for thiols as known in the art from U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,820, and other references. Molecular wires typically, because of their bulk or other conformation, create defects in an otherwise relatively tightly-packed SAM to prevent the SAM from tightly sealing the surface against fluids to which it is exposed. The molecular wire causes disruption of the tightly-packed self-assembled structure, thereby defining defects that allow fluid to which the surface is exposed to communicate electrically with the surface. In this context, the fluid communicates electrically with the surface by contacting the surface or coming in close enough proximity to the surface that electronic communication via tunneling or the like can occur.

The term “biological binding” refers to the interaction between a corresponding pair of molecules that exhibit mutual affinity or binding capacity, typically specific or non-specific binding or interaction, including biochemical, physiological, and/or pharmaceutical interactions. Biological binding defines a type of interaction that occurs between pairs of molecules including proteins, nucleic acids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, hormones and the like. Specific examples include antibody/antigen, antibody/hapten, enzyme/substrate, enzyme/inhibitor, enzyme/cofactor, binding protein/substrate, carrier protein/substrate, lectin/carbohydrate, receptor/hormone, receptor/effector, complementary strands of nucleic acid, protein/nucleic acid repressor/inducer, ligand/cell surface receptor, virus/ligand, etc.

The term “binding” or “bound” refers to the interaction between a corresponding pair of molecules that exhibit mutual affinity or binding capacity, typically specific or non-specific binding or interaction, including biochemical, physiological, and/or pharmaceutical interactions. Biological binding defines a type of interaction that occurs between pairs of molecules including proteins, nucleic acids, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, hormones and the like. Specific examples include antibody/antigen, anti body/hapten, enzyme/substrate, enzyme/inhibitor, enzyme/cofactor, binding protein/substrate, carrier protein/substrate, lectin/carbohydrate, receptor/hormone, receptor/effector, complementary strands of nucleic acid, protein/nucleic acid repressor/inducer, ligand/cell surface receptor, virus/ligand, etc.

The term “binding partner” refers to a molecule that can undergo binding with a particular molecule. Biological binding partners are examples. For example, Protein A is a binding partner of the biological molecule IgG, and vice versa.

The term “determining” refers to quantitative or qualitative analysis of a species via, for example, spectroscopy, ellipsometry, piezoelectric measurement, immunoassay, electrochemical measurement, and the like. “Determining” also means detecting or quantifying interaction between species, e.g. detection of binding between two species.

The term “self-assembled mixed monolayer” refers to a heterogeneous self-assembled monolayer, that is, one made up of a relatively ordered assembly of at least two different molecules.

“Synthetic molecule”, means a molecule that is not naturally occurring, rather, one synthesized under the direction of human or human-created or human-directed control.

The present invention generally relates to a method of using SPR technology to detect representative sex hormones. More specifically, the present invention relates to using SPR technology to quantitatively measure the concentrations of representative sex hormones in a serum sample, which can be used to evaluate different clinical situations as detailed above. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM that can greatly enhance the immobilization ability of the metal surface, which is desirable for the immobilization of relevant antibodies for the detection of representative sex hormones. For the quantitative evaluation of representative sex hormones, the antibodies used to detect the representative sex hormones can be selected from the group consisting of the antibodies to testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, SHBG, FSH, LH, and prolactin.

To enhance the sensitivity and specificity of the SPR immunoassay, a link layer is attached onto the gold film on the surface of a glass chip which serves as a functional structure for further modification of the gold film surface. So far, several immobilization chemistries are suitable for the formation of the link layer, including alkanethiols, hydrogel, silanes, polymer films and polypeptides. Moreover, there are several methods to attach the link layer onto the thin gold surface, such as the Langmuir-Blodgett film method and the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) approach.

The following examples will enable those skilled in the art to more clearly understand how to practice the present invention. It is to be understood that, while the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred specific embodiments thereof, that which follows is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

EXAMPLE 1 Quantitative Evaluation of Representative Sex Hormones in a Serum Sample

(A) Testing sample: serum (about 2 ml) (B) Antibodies used to detect the representative sex hormones: antibodies to testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, SHBG, FSH, LH, and prolactin, etc.

(C) Procedure:

Step One: Formation of a Linking Layer on the Surface of a Gold-Film Glass Chip:

1. Cleanliness of Substrate

Metal substrates (copper, silver, aluminum or gold) were firstly cleaned with strong oxidizing chemicals (“piranha” solution-H₂SO₄:H₂O₂) or argon plasmas, then the surfaces of these substrates were washed with ultra pure water and degassed ethanol. After rinsing, the substrates were dried with pure N₂ gas stream.

2. Preparation of Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs)

Single-component or mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of organosulfur compounds (thiols, disulfides, sulfides) on the clean metal substrate have been widely applied for chemical modification to develop chemical and biological sensor chips.

Preparing SAMs on metal substrates was achieved by immersion of a clean substrate into a dilute (˜1-10 m M) ethanolic solution of organosulfur compounds for 12-18 h at room temperature.

Monolayers comprising a well-defined mixture of molecular structures are called “mixed” SAMs. There are three methods for synthesizing mixed SAMs: (1) coadsorption from solutions containing mixtures of alkanethiols (HS(CH₂)_(n)R+HS(CH₂)_(n)R′), (2) adsorption of asymmetric dialkyl disulfides (R(CH₂)_(m)S—S(CH₂)_(n)R′), and (3) adsorption of asymmetric dialkylsulfides (R(CH₂)_(m)S(CH₂)_(n)R′), where n and m are the number of methylene units (range from 3 to 21) and R represents the end group of the alkyl chain (—CH₃, —OH, —COOH, NH₂) active for covalently binding ligands or biocompatible substance. Mixed SAMs are useful for decreasing the steric hindrance of interfacial reaction that, in turn, is useful for studying the properties and biology of cells.

3. Modifying SAMs

Methods for modifying SAMs after their formation are critical for the development of surfaces that present the large, complex ligands and molecules needed for biology and biochemistry. There are two important techniques for modifying SAMs:

(1) Direct Reactions With Exposed Functional Groups

Under appropriate reaction conditions, terminal functional groups (—OH, —COOH) exposed on the surface of a SAM immersed in a solution of ligands can react directly with the molecules present in solution. Many direct immobilization techniques have been adapted from methods for immobilizing DNA, polypeptides, and proteins on SAMs.

(2) Activation of Surfaces for Reactions

An operationally different approach to the functionalization of the surfaces of SAMs is to form a reactive intermediate, which is then coupled to a ligand. In this invention, we chose epoxy activation method to couple polysaccharide or a swellable organic polymer. In detail, 2-(2-Aminoethoxy) ethanol (AEE) was coupled to carboxyl-functionalized SAM using peptide coupling reagents (N-hydroxysuccinimide/N-Ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC/NHS)), and the terminal hydroxyl groups were further reacted with epichlorohydrin to produce epoxy-functionalized surfaces. These were subsequently reacted with hydroxyl moieties of polysaccharide or organic polymer. Subsequently, the polysaccharide chains were carboxylated through treatment with bromoacetic acid more than one time. The resultant material offered for further functionalization with biomolecules.

Rather than using single-component for preparing the SAM in conventional methods, “mixed” SAMs were used in the present invention, which provides various functional groups and branching structures to decrease the steric hindrance of interfacial reaction that, in turn, is useful for studying the biomolecular interaction analysis.

In addition, the facile surface plasmon resonance senses through specific biorecognizable gold substrates in combination with dextran using 2-(2-Aminoethoxy) ethanol (AEE) as a crosslinking agent, not gold nanoparticles as reported. As reported, dextran-treated surface was normally reacted with bromoacetic acid only one time. In our experiments, multiple bromoacetic acid reactions were employed in order to improve the carboxylated degree of dextran surface. Therefore, linking layer on the surface of a gold-film glass chip of the present invention significantly decreases the steric hindrance of interfacial reaction that, in turn, is useful for ligands immobilization.

Step Two: Immobilization of Relevant Antibodies on the Surface of the Linking Layer:

A dextran coated sensor chip was used in this invention. The surface of the chip matrix was first activated by injection of a suitable activating agent (such as EDC/NHS or EDC/sulfo-NHS); afterwards the activating agent was washed out and the ligand solution (the antibodies of sex hormones in 10 mM acetate buffer) was injected. After coupling, the remaining active groups in the matrix were deactivated by injection of a suitable agent (such as ehanolamine solution), then the non-covalently bound ligand was washed out by a high ionic strength medium.

For most covalent immobilization methods, electrostatic preconcentration of the ligand in the surface matrix was achieved with 10 mM acetate buffer at a suitable pH(range from 3.5 to 5.5). In our experiments, the relevant antibodies were prepared in 10 mM acetate buffer with suitable pH at concentrations of 10-100 μg/ml.

For instance, the surface of a sensor chip was activated by EDC/NHS. The ligands(relevant antibodies) in the 10 mM acetate buffer with suitable pH were spotted onto sensor chip using a microarray printing device. 1 M ethanolamine hydrochloride (pH 8.5) was used to deactivate excess reactive esters and to remove non-covalently bound ligand. Printed arrays were incubated in a humid atmosphere for 1 h and stored dry at 4° C. prior to use.

An important consideration for reproducibility is the ability to control the amount of antibodies spotted on the matrix. Ideally, identical amount of antibodies should be immobilized in the same area. Therefore, the use of reproducible amount of antibodies is a critical step to ensure accurate results, especially in high-density array systems. Spotted technologies for reproducible delivery of microarrays of biological samples are preferred.

There are two ligand-coupling ways:

1). Direct Coupling

Amine coupling introduces N-hydroxysuccinimide esters into the surface matrix by modification of the carboxymethyl groups with a mixture of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and N-ethyl-N′-(dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC). These esters then react spontaneously with amines and other nucleophilic groups on the ligand to form covalent links. Amine coupling is the most generally applicable coupling chemistry, which is recommended as the first choice for most applications.

For most chemical coupling methods, preconcentration of a ligand on the surface matrix is important for efficient immobilization of macromolecules. This preconcentration can be accomplished by electrostatic attraction between negative charges on the surface matrix (carboxymethyl dextran) and positive charges on the ligand at pH values below the ligand pI, and allows efficient immobilization from relatively dilute ligand solutions. Electrostatic preconcentration is less significant for low molecular weight ligands.

Several important notes for the direct coupling are described as follows:

HBS-EP (pH 7.4) was first recommended. PBS (pH7.4) could be used as well.

The optimal pH for ligand immobilization is critically affected by the pH and ionic strength of the coupling buffer. The optimal condition for immobilization of sex hormone related antibodies was 10 mM acetate buffer at pH 5.0.

EDC/NHS(0.2 M N-ethyl-N′-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/0.05 M N-hydroxysuccinimide) was injected to activate the surface.

The ligand solution was printed to the activated sensor chip surface.

1 Methanolamine hydrochloride (pH 8.5) was used to deactivate unreacted NHS-esters. The deactivation process also removed any remaining electrostatically bound ligand.

2) Indirect Coupling

Most macromolecules contain many groups that can participate in the amine coupling reaction, and immobilization is usually easy. There are, however, situations where other coupling methods may be preferable:

Ligands where the active site includes particularly reactive amino or other nucleophilic groups may lose biological activity on immobilization

In certain situations, the multiplicity of amine coupling sites may be a disadvantage. The average number of attachment points for proteins to the matrix is normally low.

Several important notes for the indirect coupling are described as follows:

(1) HBS-EP (pH 7.4) was first recommended. PBS (pH7.4) could be used as well.

(2) NHS/EDC was injected to activate the sensor chip surface.

(3) 20 μg/ml of streptavidin in 10 mM acetate buffer at pH 5.0 was injected.

(4) 1 Methanolamine hydrochloride (pH 8.5) was injected to deactivate excess reactive esters and to remove non-covalently bound streptavidin.

(5) 10 μg/ml of biotinylated protein in HBS-EP (pH 7.4) was injected.

Step Three: Testing a Sample:

1. Preparation of the Serum Sample to Reduce Unwanted Binding

Unwanted binding may cause binding of analyte to non-specific sites on the surface, or binding of non-analyte molecules in the sample to the surface or the ligand. It is preferred to prepare the serum sample in order to obtain the best results.

One or more steps can be done for the serum preparation illustrated as follows:

(1) Inclusion of a surface-active agent, such as Surfactant P20 or Tween, in buffers and samples could help to reduce binding to non-specific sites, but could not guarantee that all binding would be biospecific.

(2) The use of physiological (0.15 M) salt concentrations could reduce non-specific electrostatic effects in most cases.

(3) Addition of zwitterions, such as taurine or betaine, could also help to reduce non-specific electrostatic adsorption.

(4) Addition of carboxymethyl dextran at approximate 1 mg/ml to the sample could reduce non-specific binding to the dextran matrix by competition effects.

(5) Addition of other monoclonal antibody at approximate 10 ug/1˜10 ug/ml to a sample could amplify the signal.

(6) The serum sample could be diluted 2-10 fold by using 1-10% of BSA, 5-50% of Bovine Calf Sera, 10-50% of mouse serum or 10-50% of rabbit serum.

2. Sample Testing

To quantitatively analyze the levels of representative sex hormones in a serum sample, relevant antibodies of representative sex hormones were immobilized on the surface of the linking layer at predetermined concentrations, which allowed the antibodies to react with various concentrations of representative sex hormones in the serum.

Subsequently, the antibody-sex hormones in the serum reaction was detected with SPR system according to the standard operation procedure. Known concentrations of representative sex hormones in the serum and the relative resonance units (RU) of SPR were used to establish the standard curves. In comparison with standard curves, the concentrations of representative sex hormones in a serum sample to be tested are measured and quantified.

For comparison purposes, the same serum sample was checked for the same sex hormones as detected with SPR technology by using an ELISA method. The presence of different concentrations of sex hormones in a serum sample detected by SPR technology was consistent with those detected by ELISA methods.

In summary, as illustrated from the above detailed description and examples, the present invention demonstrates that the concentrations of different sex hormones in a serum sample were positively related to the RU. In addition, the present invention also provides a more efficient formula to make the dextran coated sensor chip for improved immobilization of sex hormones related antibodies. The present invention demonstrates that SPR technology can be used to reliably detect sex hormones related antibodies coated on the linking layer and the antibody-sex hormones reactions and the concentrations of different sex hormones in a serum sample measured by SPR system were consistent with those as detected with ELISA method.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments can be derived without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. 

1. An improved SPR biosensor chip for detecting sex hormones in a serum sample for clinical evaluations, prepared by forming a linking layer on the surface of a metal film on a glass chip and immobilizing of one or more sex hormones related antibodies on the surface of the linking layer.
 2. The improved SPR biosensor chip according to claim 1, wherein the linking layer is prepared by preparing a mixed SAM of long-chain alkanethiols which can bind with biomolecules through its suitable reactive groups on one side and react with said gold film through a gold-complexing thiol on the other side, modifying and activating the mixed SAMs.
 3. The improved SPR biosensor chip according to claim 1, wherein said metal film is treated with dextran using 2-(2-Aminoethoxy) ethanol (AEE) as a crosslinking agent and multiple bromoacetic acid reactions.
 4. The improved SPR biosensor chip according to claim 2, wherein said mixed SAMs is prepared by one of the following: (1) coadsorption from solutions containing mixtures of alkanethiols (HS(CH₂)_(n)R+HS(CH₂)_(n)R′), (2) adsorption of asymmetric dialkyl disulfides (R(CH₂)_(m)S—S(CH₂)_(n)R′), and (3) adsorption of asymmetric dialkylsulfides (R(CH₂)_(m)S(CH₂)_(n)R′), wherein n and m are the number of methylene units which is an integer from 3 to 21 and R represents the end group of the alkyl chain (—CH₃, —OH, —COOH, NH₂) active for covalently binding ligands or biocompatible substance.
 5. The improved SPR biosensor chip according to claim 2, wherein said modifying and activating the mixed SAMs is accomplished by an epoxy activation method to couple a polysaccharide or a swellable organic polymer comprising coupling 2-(2-Aminoethoxy) ethanol (AEE) to carboxyl-functionalized SAM using peptide coupling reagents (N-hydroxysuccinimide/N-Ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC/NHS)), and reacting with epichlorohydrin to produce epoxy-functionalized surfaces, which subsequently being reacted with hydroxyl moieties of the polysaccharide or organic polymer, the resulting polysaccharide chains are subsequently being carboxylated through treatment with bromoacetic acid multiple times.
 6. The improved SPR biosensor chip according to claim 1, wherein said sex hormone related is selected from a group consisting of antibodies to testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, SHBG, FSH, LH, and prolactin.
 7. The improved SPR biosensor chip according to claim 1, wherein said metal is copper, silver, aluminum or gold.
 8. A method for simultaneously detecting sex hormones in a serum sample for clinical evaluations, comprising the steps of: 1) preparing a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system comprising: a) an improved SPR biosensor chip according to claim 1; b) a spectrophotometric means for receiving a first signal and a second signal from said surface, said second signal being received at a time after binding of said antibodies and said sex hormone on said surface; and c) means for calculating and comparing properties of said first received signal and said second received signal to determine the presence of said sex hormone; 2) contacting a serum sample to be tested with said biosensor surface and spectrophotometrically receiving said first signal and said second signal; 3) calculating and comparing said calculated differences to signals received from a standard curve of serum containing said sex hormone to determine the presence and quantity of said sex hormones, which can be used to evaluate different clinical situations of the object carrying the serum sample.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the linking layer is prepared by preparing a mixed SAM of long-chain alkanethiols which can bind with biomolecules through its suitable reactive groups on one side and react with said gold film through a gold-complexing thiol on the other side, modifying and activating the mixed SAMs.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said metal film is treated with dextran using 2-(2-Aminoethoxy) ethanol (AEE) as a crosslinking agent and multiple bromoacetic acid reactions.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said mixed SAMs is prepared by one of the following: (1) coadsorption from solutions containing mixtures of alkanethiols (HS(CH₂)_(n)R+HS(CH₂)_(n)R′), (2) adsorption of asymmetric dialkyl disulfides (R(CH₂)_(m)S—S(CH₂)_(n)R′), and (3) adsorption of asymmetric dialkylsulfides (R(CH₂)_(m)S(CH₂)_(n)R′), wherein n and m are the number of methylene units which is an integer from 3 to 21 and R represents the end group of the alkyl chain (—CH₃, —OH, —COOH, NH₂) active for covalently binding ligands or biocompatible substance.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein said modifying and activating the mixed SAMs is accomplished by an epoxy activation method to couple a polysaccharide or a swellable organic polymer comprising coupling 2-(2-Aminoethoxy) ethanol (AEE) to carboxyl-functionalized SAM using peptide coupling reagents (N-hydroxysuccinimide/N-Ethyl-N′-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC/NHS)), and reacting with epichlorohydrin to produce epoxy-functionalized surfaces, which subsequently being reacted with hydroxyl moieties of the polysaccharide or organic polymer, the resulting polysaccharide chains are subsequently being carboxylated through treatment with bromoacetic acid multiple times.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said sex hormone related is selected from a group consisting of antibodies to testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, SHBG, FSH, LH, and prolactin.
 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein said metal is copper, silver, aluminum or gold. 